Door structure for a rendering cooker or the like



Sept. 18, 1956 L. s, DowNEY ET Al. '2,763,343

DOOR STRUCTURE FOR A RENDERING COOKER OR THE LIKE Filed may 12, 1954 2 sheets-sheet 1 Sept.18, 1956 L. s. DQWNEY ET AL 2,763,343

DOOR STRUCTURE FOR A RENDERING COOKER OR THE LIKE United States Patent O DOOR STRUCTURE FOR A RENDERING COOKER OR THE LIKE Lester S. Downey, Oak Lawn, and Ralph W. lllsley, Ch-

cago, Ill., assignors to The Albright-Nell Company, Chicago, lll.

Application May 12, 1954, Serial No. 429,204

4 Claims. (Cl. 189-46) The present invention relates generally to door structures. More particularly, the invention relates to that ltype of door structure which is located a-t one end wall of the tank of a pressure variety rendering cooker and as its principal components or parts comprises: (l) a rectangular frame which tits and is ixed'ly secured within a correspondingly shaped opening in the lower portion of the one end wall of the tank; (2) a door which is hinged at its upper marginal portion to the upper portion of the frame in order that it is capable o-f swinging downwards into a closed position wherein it extends across and seals the frame and upwards into an open position; (3) ya horizontal lock bar which embodies a vfork at one end thereof and has its other end hinged to one side portion of the frame in order that it is capable of swinging horizontally into and out of an operative position wherein it extends across the outer surface of the door and serves to hold `the door in its closed position; and (4) a nut-equipped eye bolt which is hinged 'to the other side portion -of the frame, is adapted when the lock bar is in its operative position `to have the shank `thereof swung into seated relation with the fork, `and is further adapted when its shank is in place yand `the nut thereon is tightened to clamp the lock bar against the door.

In -a door structure of the `aforementioned type, it is customary to form the door and the lock bar of cast iron. It is `also customary to provide lthe central portions of the lock bar and the door with coacting male and female members which when the lock bar is in its operative position transmit clamping pressure from the lock bar to the door. In practice, it has been found that if the coacting male and female members for transmitting clamping pressure from the lock bar to the door `are permanently secured in place, the male member in many instances does not properly intert with the female member and hence fthe door when in its closed position is not properly retained or held in place by Lthe lock bar.

One object of this invention is to provide a door structure which is `an improvement upon, and eliminates the disadvantage of, previously designed door structures of the same general type and is characterized by :the fact that one of the coacting members for transmitting clamping pressure from the lock bar to the door is loosely mounted -in place so that it is movable laterally "in all directions to a limited extent to the end that, in connection with swinging of the lock bar into its operative position, it will automatically adjust itself into correct or proper intertting or seated relation with the `other member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door structure or" `the last mentioned character in which the female member is in 'the form of an integral socketequipped pad on the central portion of lthe door, and the male member is in Ithe form of a hemispherical head which fits ilatly against the central portion of the lock bar and is loosely mounted in place by way `of a horizontal bolt which extends -through an oversized hole arrangement in the lock bar.

2,763,343 Patented Sept. 18, 1956 ICC A further object of the invention is -to provide a door structure of the type and character under lconsideration in which the lock bar is in the form yof a hollow casting and the hole arrangement in Ithe lock bar vhas associated with it a horizontal sleeve which prevents dust and other matter `from entering the interior of the lock bar and surrounds loosely the bolt by `which Ithe male member is loosely mounted.

A still further object `of the invention is to provide a door structure which is generally of new and improved construction and eifectively and eciently fulfills its intended purpose.

Other objects `of 'the invention and the various advantages `and characteristics of the present ldoor structure will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth `and are more particularly defined by the claims at the conclusion hereof.

ln lthe drawings which accompany and form a part of this `specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a perspective of a pressure variety rendering cooker having applied -thereto a door structure embodying the invention, the door of the structure being shown in its closed position and the lock bar of the structure being Lshown rin its operative position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective like Figure 1 except 4that it illustrates the door of the structure in its open position and the lock lbar in its inoperative position;

Figure 3 is a vertical section of the door structure showing in detail the construction `and arrangement of the coacting male and female members for ltransmitting clamping pressure lfrom the lock Ibar to the door;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section `on the line 4 4 of Figure 3; and i Figure 5 is a perspective of the bolt-equipped hemispherical head that constitutes the male member of the coacting members for transmitting clamping pressure from the lock bar to the door when the door is in its closed position and the lock bar is in its operative position.

The door structure that is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is designed primarily to form a part of a pressure variety rendering cooker although, manifestly, it has other capabilities or use. The cooker is of conventional or standard construction and embodies a horizontally elongated cylindrical steam-jacketed tank 6. The latter as well understood in the art has disposed therein a coaxial shaft (not shown) which has radially extending paddles and is driven by an electric motor and suitable speed reducing gearing. In the lower central portion of one of its end walls, the tank 6 is provided with a substantially rectangular disch-arge -opening 7. Such opening is so designed that its horizontal dimensionis greater than its vertical dimension. As its principal components or parts, the door structure comprises a rectangular frame 8, a door 9, a lock bar 10, an eye bolt 11, a nut 12, a female member 13 and a male member 14. Except for the female member 13 and the male member 14, the door structure is of standard design. The female and male members coact as described hereafter more in detail to transmit clamping pressure from the lock bar 10 to the door 9 in order to hold the latter in its closed position.

The rectangular frame 8 of the door structure is shaped conformably to, and is mounted in, the discharge opening 7 in the tank 6 of the rendering cooker. It s in the form of a one-piece metallic casting or forging and has its outer edge portions welded to the portions of the cooker tank that define the opening 7. A continuous outwardly extending ange 1S is formed as an integral partof the frame 8, and vthis ange embodies at the upper ends of its side portions a pair of lug-like enlargements 16. The latter have coaxial holes 17 therein and serve as journals for a horizontal extending rock shaft 18; As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an arm 19 is connected to one end of, and extends radially with respect to, the rock shaft and forms a handle whereby the shaft 18 may be rocked back and forth.

The door 9 of the structure is formed of cast metal and is shaped and adapted to extend across and close the frame S. It is provided at its upper corners with two integral :apertured lugs 20 which are disposed inwards of the enlargements 16 and extend around the rock shaft 18. As shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the lugs 20 are connected to the rock shaft 18 by way of keys 21 in order that the door 9 is in fixed relation with the rock shaft. The lugs 20 and the rock shaft form a hinge whereby the door is supported so that it is capable of swinging downwards into a closed position wherein it extends across and closes the frame 8 (see Figure 1) and upwards into an open position (see Figure 2). Swinging ofthe door into and out of its closed position is effected by manually manipulating the radially extending arm 19 on the rock shaft. The marginal portion of the door is provided with a continuous inwardly facing groove 22 in which a gasket 23 is mounted. When the d oor is in its closed position, the gasket 23 bears against the inner marginal portion of the frame 8 and forms a seal between the door and the frame.

T 'hewlock bar 10 of the door structure extends horizontally and is in the form of a hollow one-piece casting. I t embodies at one end thereof an integral vertically extending sleeve part 24 and at its other end an integral outwardly extending fork 25 and is adapted when the door is in its closed position to extend across the door as shown in Figure l. A vertically extending pivot pin 26 extends through the sleeve part 24 and forms with the latter a hinge whereby the lock bar may be swung back andforth between operative and inoperative positions. The ends of the pivot pin 26 extend through a pair of vertically spaced apertured lugs 27 and have transversely extending cotter pins 2S which coact with the lugs to hold the pivot pin 26 against axial displacement. The l ugs 27 are formed integrally with, and projectl outwards from, one of the lower corner portions of the frame 8.= The lockbar is of such length that when it is swung into its operative position wherein it extends across the door as shown in Figure l the fork 25 on the distal end o f vthe lock bar extends beyond the adjacent side portion of the door.

'I heeye bolt 1 1 of the door structure is located adjacent the side portion of the frame that is opposite the s ide portion having the lugs 27. It is of one-piece construction and comprises a vertically elongated eye 29 and a, horizontal shank 30 (see Figure 4). The eye 29 extends around, and is rotatably mounted on, a vertically extending pivot pin 31 in order that the shank 30, when the lock bar is in its operative position, may be swung into and out of seated relation with the furcations of the fork 25 on the distal end of the lock bar. The ends of the pivot pin 31 extend through a pair of vertically spaced apertured lugs 32 and have suitable means for preventing axial displacement of the pivot pin. The lugs 32 are formed integrally with, and project outwards from, the adjacent lower corner portion of the frame 8.

The nut 12 of the door structure is rotatably mounted on the shank 30 of the eye bolt 11 and is provided with a hand wheel 33 whereby it may be turned in one direction or the other. It is contemplated that when the shank of the eye bolt is in seated relation with the furcations of the fork 25, the nut will bear against the outer portion of the fork as shown in Figure 4. When the nut is tightened by turning the hand Wheel 33 in the proper direction, the nut 12 feeds inwards and urges the lock bar towards the door 9.

The female member 13 and the male member 14 of the door structure coact to transmit clamping pressure from the lock bar to the door. The female member is in the form of a pad 34 which is` formed integrally with the central portion ofthe outer surface of the cast metal door 9. Such pad is provided with a at outer surface 35 in which is formed a substantially hemispherical socket 36. The socket is so positioned that it faces the central portion ofthe lock bar when the door is in its closed position and the lock bar is in its operative position. The male member 14 of the door structure is in the forni of a hemispherical steel head 37, the radius of which corresponds to the radius of the socket 36 in the pad 34 constituting the female member 13. The head 37 has a flat surface 38 which fits flatly against an integral boss 39 on the central portion of the lock bar 10. As shown in Figure 3 the lock bar, because it is hollow, embodies inner and outer side walls and top and bottom walls between the side walls. The boss 39 is formed on the central portion of the inner side wall of the lock bar. In addition to the hemispherical head 37 the male member 14 comprises a horizontally extending stud-type bolt 40. The latter extends through oversized circular holes 41 and 42 in the inner and outer side walls of the lock bar 10 and serves with the holes as a loose mounting for the head. Such mounting permits the hemispherical head 37 to move laterally in all directions to a limited extent and hence when the lock bar is swung into its operative position, the head will automatically move into proper or correct intertting or seated relation with the hemispherical socket 36. In connection with tightening of the hand wheel equipped nut 12 on the eye bolt in connection with a door clamping operation, the door swings upwards and the lock bar swings sidewards. Under the circumstances, the female member 13 does not remain in a xed position with respect to the central portion of the lock bar. By h. ving the male member 14 loosely mounted, the head 37 constituting the male member will .automatically adjust itself laterally so as to maintain proper seated relation with the hemispherical socket 36 in the pad 34. The end of the bolt 40 that extends through the hole 41 in the inner side wall of the lock bar is threaded and ts snugly within a screw threaded socket 43 in the central portion of the head 37. The other end of the b olt 40, that is, the end that extends through the hole 42 in the outer side wall of the lock bar, is provided with `a washer 44 and a pair of lock nuts 45. The washer 44 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 fits loosely and slidably against a boss 46 on the central portion of the outer side wall of the lock bar. The lock nuts 45 are so arranged that they do not clamp the washer 44 against the boss 46 and hence the bolt 40 is always loosely mounted with respect to the oversized circular holes 41 and 42 in the inner and outer side walls of the lock bar 10. When the lock bar 10 is in its operative position, the female and male members 13 and 14 of the door structure operate as hereinbefore indicated to transmit the clamping pressure of the lock bar to the central portion of the door 9. ln order to prevent dust or other foreign matter from entering the interior of the lock bar 10, a horizontal sleeve 47 is provided. This sleeve surrounds loosely the b'olt 40, extends through the central portion of the lock bar, and has its ends connected by a press iit to the portions of the lock bar inner and outer side walls that define the holes 41 and 42.

The herein described door structure is both simple in design and efficient in operation and this is because it includes the coacting female and male members 13 and 14 for transmitting the clamping pressure of the lock bar to the door. Because the hemispherical head 37 of the male member 14 is mounted in place by way of the bolt 40 which is loosely positioned in the oversized holes 41 and 42 and the sleeve 47, it automatically adjusts itself into proper seated relation with the socket 36 when the lock bar is swung into its operative position.

The invention is not to be understood to be restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and 'scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention lwhat we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a door structure of the type that comprises a substantially vertical rectangular frame, a door part hinged at the upper marginal portion thereof to the upper portion of the frame so that -it is capable of swinging into and out of a closed position wherein it closes the frame interior, a horizontal lock bar part having one end thereof hinged to one of the side portions of the frame so that it is capable of swinging into and out of an operative position wherein it extends across the door part and serves to hold the latter in its closed position, and releasable bolt means extending normally between the other end of the lock bar part and the other side portion 4of the l frame and operative when the lock bar part is in its operative position to urge it towards the door part with clamping pressure; a pair of complemental female and male members associated with the aforesaid parts respectively, formed independently of said releasable bolt means, and operative when the lock bar part is in its operative position so to coact and interi-it with one another ras to transmit the clamping pressure directly from the lock bar part to the door part, the female member being in the form of a pad formed integrally with the central portion of its associated part and having a substantially hemispherical socket facing the male member, said male member being in the form of a hemispherical head, having the flat surface of the head facing the central portion of its associated part, and embodying between it and said central portion of its associated part means whereby it is so loosely mounted that it is laterally movable in all directions to a limited extent and hence, in connection with swinging of the lock bar part into its operative position, automatically adjusts itself into proper seated relation with the socket in the pad of said female member.

2. In a door structure of the type that comprises a substantially vertical rectangular frame, a door hinged at the upper marginal portion thereof to the upper portion of the frame so that it is capable of swinging into and out of a closed position wherein it closes the frame interior, a horizontal lock bar having one end thereof hinged to one of the side portions of the frame so that it is capable of swinging into and out of an operative position wherein it extends across the door and serves to hold the latter in its closed position, .and releasable bolt means extending normally between the other end of the lock bar and the other side portion of the frame and operative when the lock bar is in its operative position to urge it towards the door with clamping pressure; a pair of complemental female and male members associated with the door and lock bar respectively, formed independently of said releasable bolt means and opera tive when the lock bar is in its operative position so to coact with one another as to transmit the clamping pressure directly from the lock bar to the door, the female member being connected permanently to the central portion of the door, and the male member being positioned adjacent the central portion of the lock bar and embodying between it and said central portion of the lock bar means whereby it is so loosely mounted that it is laterally movable in all directions to a limited extend and hence, in connection with swinging of the lock bar into -its operative position, automatically adjusts itself into proper intertting relation with the fem-ale member, the last mentioned means comprising a horizontal bolt which extends loosely through an oversized hole arrangement in the central portion of the lock bar and has one end thereof txedly connected to the male member and its other end provided with an abutment-forming element.

3. In a door structure of the type that comprises a Substantially vertical rectangular frame, a door hinged at the upper marginal portion thereof to the upper por tion of the frame so that it is capable of swinging into and out of a closed position wherein it closes the frame interior, a horizontal lock bar having one end thereof hinged to one of the side portions of the frame so that it is capable of swinging into and out of an operative position wherein it extends across the door and serves to hold the latter in its closed position, and releasable bolt means extending normally between the other end of the lock bar and the other side portion of the frame and operative when the lock bar is in its operative position to urge it towards the door with clamping pressure; a pair of complemental female and male members associated with the door and lock bar respectively, formed independently of said releasable 'bolt means, and operative when the bar is in its operative position so as to coact with one another as to transmit the clamping pressure directly from the lock bar to the door, the female member being in the form of a pad that is formed integrally with the central portion of the door and has a substantially hemispheric socket facing the male member, said male member being in the form of a hemispherical head, having the flat surface of the head fitting slidably against y the central portion of the lock bar, and embodying between it and said central portion of the lock bar means whereby it is so loosely mounted that it is laterally movable in all directions to a limited extent and hence, in connection with swinging of the lock bar into its operative position, automatically adjusts itself into proper seated relation with the socket in the pad of said female member, the last mentioned means comprising a horizontal bolt which extends loosely through an oversized hole arrangement in the central portion of the lock bar and has one end thereof connected xedly to the central portion of the head and the other end provided with a pair of abutting nuts.

4. In a door structure of the type that comprises a substantially vertical rectangular frame, a door hinged at the upper marginal portion thereof to the upper portion of the frame so that it is capable of swinging into and out of a closed position wherein it closes the frame interior, a hollow horizontal lock bar embodying spaced apart inner and outer side walls and having one end thereof hinged to one of the side portions of the frame so that it is capable of swinging into and out of an operative position wherein it extends across the door and serves to hold the latter in its closed position, and releasable bolt means extending normally between the other end of the lock bar and the other side portion of the frame and operative when the lock bar is in its operative position to urge it towards the door with clamping pressure; a pair of complemental female and male members associated with the door and lock bar respectively, formed independently of said releasable bolt means, and operative when the lock bar is in its operative position so as to coact with one another as to transmit the clamping pressure directly from the lock bar to the door, the female member being in the form of a pad that is formed integrally with the central portion of the door and has a substantially hemispherical socket facing the male member, said male member being in the form of a hemispherical head, having the flat surface of the head fitting slidably against the central portion of the lock bar, and embodying between it and said central portion of the lock bar means whereby it is so loosely mounted that it is laterally movable in all directions to a limited extent and hence, in connection with swinging of the lock bar into its operative position, automatically adjusts itself into proper seated relation with the socket in the pad, the last mentioned means comprising a horizontal bolt which extends loosely through oversized holes in the inner and outer side walls of the lock bar and has one end thereof connected fixedly to the central portion 7 0f the head and itS other end provided with a pair of Re'fl'li Cited i thel f this ptrf abutting' lock nuts and a horizontal sleeve extending m, .t t M looely rou'nd the -boltV and through the lock bar, having' UNITED STATES PATENTS its ends tting in the hole dening portions of the inner 586,5 52 Holjon .f;2; 1 1 lillyl 20, 1897 and outer side walls of the lock bar, and serving to prevent 5 797,771 His' f f f Aug'. 22, 1905 dust and other foreign matter from entering the interior 946,333 Campbell J. 11j, 1910 of the lock bar via said holes. 1,582,209 Ehr'et Apr. 27, 1926 

